Yeah it sounds similar to what I am experiencing for sure!! Except I don't even feel I look for or need validation from others. I purely am doing what I do because it feels good and is just what I have began to believe now.
I used to be sort of a nihilist, now I just feel there is so much more to life, meaning, goals and dreams. It just seems the people around me do not share any of the same views.
If anything, I am bored to death of continuously talking about things that don't have meaning to me anymore and not being able to talk about what I do find interesting. Merely because they don't understand or simply don't care.
My friendships right now just feel shallow..

For example, my friend is going through a phase where her entire life is about dating and other men. Which is fine, but her children need her, she is working towards nothing in life, on financial assistance and complains that she dislikes how things are right now.
I am happy and polite while we talk, I support her and offer advice when asked for. But I am left thinking.. 'don't you want more out of life???'
When she asks about me, I will delve into something that I find amazingly interesting. Working on my well being, polishing up my intuition, things that in general have great meaning to me.. and she seems lost, distracted and usually says 'call me back later i have to go'

I don't know, it just feels I have nothing in common with anybody since leaving behind certain things in my life. I just find it super lonely!! Am I odd? Am i the one who doesn't understand life? Blah.